Fears of vaccine exclusion as India uses digital ID, facial recognition


A woman receives Bharat Biotech’s coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccine called Covaxin at a vaccination centre, in New Delhi, India. A requirement to register for vaccination appointments on a mobile app using Aadhaar is excluding millions of people who do not have an Aadhaar ID, said Jain. — Reuters

Millions of vulnerable people are at risk of missing out on Covid-19 vaccines as India uses its national digital identity for registration and pilots facial recognition technology at inoculation centres, rights groups and experts said.

Amid a surge in coronavirus cases, authorities are testing a facial recognition system based on the Aadhaar ID for authentication in the eastern state of Jharkhand, and plan to roll it out nationwide, a senior official said last week.

Subscribe now and receive free sooka plan for 1 month. T&C applies.

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Others Also Read


Want to listen to full audio?

Unlock unlimited access to enjoy personalise features on the TheStar.com.my

Already a member? Log In